SKATE WHEELS

Choosing the right wheels for your skateboard will help you get the most out of your ride, shred harder and have more fun. Skate wheels vary in size, shape and how hard they feel to roll on. Whatever wheel you ride or whatever style your into Basement Skate will have the wheel for you. We stock the biggest and widest range of skateboard, cruiser, and longboard wheels in the country so don't worry... read more...

Choosing the right wheels for your skateboard will help you get the most out of your ride, shred harder and have more fun. Skate wheels vary in size, shape and how hard they feel to roll on. Whatever wheel you ride or whatever style your into Basement Skate will have the wheel for you. We stock the biggest and widest range of skateboard, cruiser, and longboard wheels in the country so don't worry, we have you covered

Hardness / Durometer

Skateboard wheel ‘hardness’ or ‘durometer’ is a measurement that qualifies how hard a wheel is. There are two scales that the skate industry uses to measure this hardness. The ‘A - scale’ and the ‘B – scale.’ The A- scale has been used widely for years, and is accurate for measuring wheels under 95A. In recent years, wheel companies like Bones and 4 skate Co. have started using the B scale, which is a more accurate rating for wheels above 95A. The B scale is 20 points lower than the A scale. So, when comparing wheels, a 100A wheel is equal to 80B.

Harder wheels will be faster on smooth polished surfaces, have predicable traction and will grind further. Street, park and transition skaters tend to ride wheels on the harder end of the scale. The hard wheel category starts around 87A (67B) and goes up about 104A + (84B).

Soft wheels will be faster and smoother over rougher terrain. The softer urethane will grip much more and absorb the ‘road noise’ from the rougher surface. Skaters who are bombing hills, cruising, dancing, commuting and pushing out big old power slides will want to be on soft wheels, to help maximise grip, speed and control. The softest wheels start at around 75A and go up to around 86A. A softer wheel (75A-80A) will grip better and have a butterier slide characteristic. Cruising, fast free riding and hill bombing is best on a soft wheel. A ‘mid duro’ wheel (81A-86A) will have a slightly icier slide characteristic, and will be better for technical sliding, shorter wheel base boards, and skaters who love slashing alleys on their way to work.

Hard wheels

Street Skating Wheels - Street skating involves shredding over rougher and less predictable surfaces and terrain. Most street skaters ride a 50mm-54mm wheel. This smaller size wheel allows for a lighter and lower set up, with a quicker pop, for more technical skating. As street terrain is generally rougher than the skatepark, street skaters usually roll on wheels between 95A-100A (most commonly 99A). Street skaters who are looking to pull off technical flip tricks and grinds will usually ride a slimmer profile wheel to offer more consistent flips and less hook-ups in grinds. A wider wheel offers street skaters more stability for faster and bigger tricks.

Skate Park Wheels - Skateparks generally have a much smoother and more predicable surface, but can vary greatly. Skate park wheels tend to be harder, usually between 100A-104A, which allows maximum roll speed and predictable traction. Skate parks with a rougher surface will be more fun on a slightly softer durometer wheel (90A – 97A) and a wider contact patch for more control and grip. The size of wheel will usually be between 50mm - 56mm +. The profile of your skatepark wheels will vary between skaters. The general rule is, a thinner profile wheel will be better for technical flips and grinds. A wider outer lip profile wheel will offer better stability and grip, and will lock into the coping better.

Transition (Bowls & Vert Ramps) - The bigger the ramp, the bigger the wheel. Most transition skaters will be rolling wheels between 56mm – 60+mm. This increased size will give you the speed you need to boost, a more stable lock in for grinds and rolling out of mega landings, and a smoother roll over the coping. Tranny skaters go for a wheel with more volume at the outer edge and that cuts away towards the centre of the wheel. The cut away minimises friction during grinds and minimises flatspots, and the pronounced outer lip locks in your grinds and helps your wheel manage the coping better.

Cruiser Wheels - When choosing wheels for your cruiser, dancer or commuter skateboard, you’re looking for a nice soft wheel between 75A and 80A. This will give your board the smoothest and fastest roll over every-day terrain. The size and shape of the wheels for cruising will vary relating to your board’s length and width, as well as your style of riding.

Sliding & Free Riding - When your pulling off power slides and free riding down hills, you want a round lipped medium duro – soft wheel. The rounded lip profile offers a smooth transition from grip-to-slide and makes it easier to push out your tail. A smaller diameter wheel will be easier to control and more forgiving. A larger slide wheel will be faster and a little harder to control, particularly when your new to sliding.

Racing / Bombing Hills (Not Countries) - Wheels for your downhill board will be bigger, wider and have a square lip. A bigger wheel will have a faster top end roll speed, but a smaller diameter wheel will accelerate faster. A wheel with a wider contact patch will have more grip when railing super-fast corners, but can be slower in a straight line than a thinner profile wheel. The square lip on downhill wheels gives the rider that extra grip necessary to hold your line through a fast corner.